I can actually watch the real stars through my window on c’ear nights, because I live on the eighth floor. But tonight it was c’ouded, and the windows looked as if someone has poured crude oil on them. Suddenly, I heard a knock on the window. At first I thought that this was some tree branch brought over by the wind, or perhaps a bat that has just gotten a new bump on its forehead. But the knocks kept repeating and in my chest the heart started humping. I pulled the blanket over my head, hoping that I won't hear any noise any more. I was frightened.

You have to admit that it's no shame to tremble when the reason is an unknown visitor, in the middle of the night, on the eighth floor. I was very c’ose to screaming to call my parents, who were in the next room with their door open. I would have done that, but my curiosity made me peep, with one eye, just one eye, from under the blanket. Right in front of the window, a patch of light from a lantern revealed the face of a child who was saying something, but I didn't hear a thing. Looking more c’osely, I realized that this was no other but Ayako. Or, well…it could have been also someone else who resembled her perfectly. I gathered some strength and got c’oser, and the creature was desperately signalling me to open.